Thank you for your interest in the U.S. Service Academies. As your 26thDistrict Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives, each year Congressman Higgins has the privilege of nominating a limited number of people to four of the five service academies.
Members of Congress may nominate applicants who meet the eligibility requirements established by law. A candidate may seek a nomination from the following:
Each applicant for a nomination must meet the following eligibility requirements as of July 1st of the year of admission to an academy:
To begin your academy nomination process, please fill out this form then fax or mail it along with a current photo, High School transcript, American College Testing Program (ACT) results and/or College Board Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) results, resume of extracurricular activities, an essay stating why you want to attend a service academy (500 words or less), as well as a minimum of three letters of recommendation to our Buffalo Office. For further information, please contact Lyndsey Barnes in our District Office at 716-852-3501
My nomination application period opens May 15th of each year for those candidates who are high school juniors and will be seniors the following school year, or who have already graduated.
This year the deadline for submitting a nomination packet to my District Office is November 15th.
Applicants who submit a completed nomination file will be scheduled for an interview in early January.
Nominations are based on a "whole person" evaluation. Factors such as academic achievements, extra-curricular activities, leadership skills, physical aptitude, character and motivation are taken into consideration and compared with other applicants.
There are five service academies.
Three reside within the Department of Defense:
Two reside within the Department of Transportation:
No. Although many of the qualifications are similar, each academy operates under its own admissions guidelines. Visit the academy of your choice via the web sites noted for each academy's particular admissions qualifications. It is not necessary to seek a nomination to the Coast Guard Academy, as the U.S.C.G.A. accepts candidates based on their own testing criteria.
Some of the people applicants typically seek recommendations from include:
I do not require a specific recommendation form. A letter of recommendation is sufficient.
No. You will be placed among a select group of nominees, and the academy of your choice will make the final decision. If selected, you will receive an offer of admission (an appointment) directly from the academy.
No. You can be nominated to multiple academies depending on how well you have competed among this year's pool of candidates. It is also possible to win multiple appointments.
Academies will begin to notify candidates of their admission status in February. All offers of appointment are generally sent out by May.
The honor of attending a service academy comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Best wishes to you as you pursue your goal of attending one of the U.S. Service Academies and serving our country.